How to become a Counselor in Kentucky

Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in Kentucky. Most requirements such as earning your Master's degree, completing 3000 hours of supervised experience and passing the NCE examination have been and will continue to be mandatory in the Kentucky counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors at (502) 564-3296, ext. 222 to make sure you are on the right track.

I'm a High School Graduate

As a high school graduate in Kentucky looking into counseling licensure requirements, you are ahead of the curve. Kentucky counseling certification requires the applicant to possess the minimum of a master's degree.

The next step for you is to learn how to enroll in an associate degree program or bachelor degree program. In the meantime, you will have plenty of opportunity to learn more about career options in counseling and psychology in general.

Click on the links below to browse schools offering programs in psychology or counseling.

Once you have enrolled in a program, take advantage of your school's career services department and learn how you can find employment or volunteer opportunities that are related to the counseling career path.

Step One:

Once the masters degree is completed, you will need to begin acquiring 4000 hours of supervised professional experience which should be under a Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors approved supervisor. Direct counseling experience should include 1600 of these hours with at least 100 hours of direct supervision.

Step Two:

Next, you should download and submit your Kentucky Professional Counselor license application to the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors making sure to include all necessary forms and fees.

Step Three:

The Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors will review your application. Once they have approved your licensure application, you will be contacted with information about registering for the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

For information regarding registration for the examination, click here. For information about the examination's contents, click here.

Licensed Professional Counseling Associate (LPCA) License in Kentuky

Follow the steps to learn how to acquire your Licensed Professional Counseling Associate (LPCA) Licensure in Kentucky.

Step One:

To become a licensed professional counselor associate in Kentucky, you will need at least your masters degree in counseling from an accredited school.

Step Two:

A Kentucky Licensed Professional Counseling Associate (LPCA) can become licensed after meeting the required coursework, but they do not need postgraduate work experience.

Find more information about the coursework for a LPCA by clicking on the Laws and Regulations link off of the following Kentucky Board webpage.

Step Three:

Next, you can download and submit your Kentucky LPCA licensure application to the Board for review, including the Supervisory Contract form.

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